"It's bad for the individual worker's performance being online and available 24-7. You do need downtime, you do need periods in which you can actually reflect on something without needing instantaneously to give a reaction," said Will Hutton, chair of the Big Innovation Centre at The Work Foundation.

"Secondly it has a poor impact on an individual's well-being. I think that one has to patrol quite carefully the borderline between work and non-work.

"So I can see why some firms are taking this action, the problem is that a universal response is impossible... but certainly we should have the capacity to be opted out of it rather than be opted in."

Consultations

Union officials in the UK have also cautioned other firms against repeating Volkswagen's move without consultation.

"The issue of employees using Blackberrys, computers and other devices out of working time is a growing one that needs to be addressed as it can be a source of stress," Trades Union Congress (TUC) secretary general Brendan Barber told the BBC.

"However other organisations will need different solutions and what works in VW may not work elsewhere.

"By working in partnership with their union, Volkswagen's policy will have the support of all their employees. Where employers simply introduce policies on their own, however well-meaning they may be, they are unlikely to be successful."

Comment number 49.

NeilTheRealist23rd December 2011 - 13:02

I remember when a lot of this kind of new technology was in its early days, pagers, email, mobile phones etc. For business users, this was all supposed to make our lives easier so we could concentrate on the main objectives. In reality it has blighted the lives of so many. I know so many people who no longer have a weekend to relax and recharge.

Comment number 41.

John_from_Hendon23rd December 2011 - 12:55

Just switch it OFF!

Is that too difficult to do?

The truth is of course is that work is addictive. Withdrawal symptoms will be seen and heard this weekend and it is a good bet that many Christmas day's will be punctuated by mobile phone checking - how sad!

Get a life and leave your mobile (cellphone, handy etc) switched off for the week!

Comment number 40.

3legs23rd December 2011 - 12:51

My wife is a school teacher and is refusing to have an email-equipped mobile because she knows she'll be expected to answer emails 24/7. Orwellian nightmare! People who constantly write emails think they will look efficient, but in reality they're just hounding people, even at home.

Comment number 38.

work life balance23rd December 2011 - 12:44

This is such a backward step - this should be about personal choice. With two young children I prefer sorting email at 10pm rather than being expected to be at my desk until 5 or 6pm and missing their bedtime. As a few people have said - you can turn these things off.

BBC links

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